Disney, Compassion International Join to Release Children From Poverty Around the World

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO–(Marketwire – September 7, 2010) –  Compassion International, the world’s largest Christian child development and sponsorship organization, and the Walt Disney Company have come together to host Disney World’s “Night of Joy,” a two-night music festival showcasing some of the country’s top Christian artists who will be advocating on behalf of the world’s poorest children.

The concert will take place at the forecourt stage of Cinderella Castle at Disney World located near Orlando, Fla. Some of the artists performing at the event are also Compassion advocates and include Mercy Me, Tenth Avenue North and Thousand Foot Krutch.

During the event, those in attendance will have the opportunity to change a life by sponsoring a child through Compassion International.

“We are very excited to include Compassion International in Disney’s Night of Joy,” said Jay Zavada, Director, Global Special Events for Disney Parks. “Walt Disney World is the place ‘Where Dreams Come True’ and Compassion International supports the dreams of children around the world.”

Compassion works effectively through local churches to release children from poverty in 26 of the world’s poorest countries. As the world’s largest one-to-one child development and sponsorship organization serving more than one million children worldwide, Compassion takes an individualized, holistic approach to meet the personal needs of each child.

“The opportunity for Compassion and our talented advocates to speak up for children around the world at a place like Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is simply monumental for an organization like ours,” said Mark Hanlon, senior vice president of Compassion International, USA. “The fact that Disney’s core purpose is to engage and entertain children complements Compassion’s commitment to bring children the hope and love they so desperately deserve.”

Compassion International is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 26 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children — enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator, has awarded Compassion its highest rating — four stars — for nine consecutive years, placing Compassion in the top one percent of all charities.

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